ALEXANDRIA, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 1, 2004--Security Management, the industry-leading magazine published by ASIS International, takes a critical look at how private security is handling the evolving situation in Iraq in the November cover story, "Working in a War Zone," reported and written by staff editor Marta Roberts. "It took more than a month and a half of reporting," says Roberts, who read Army documents and research papers, studied government-contracting law, and spoke with numerous business executives who had been in Iraq dealing with the situation.

One of the biggest challenges security contractors face is procuring weapons. "Most are sourcing their weapons in country because federal regulations make importing weapons from the U.S. difficult," says Roberts.

"Demands for security have increased significantly since the start of the conflict, when the military was protecting most private contractors," says Roberts. That has made it harder to find qualified personnel. Roberts describes how security providers are working through that problem and how they are tackling other issues, such as deciding when it is safe and beneficial to work with local Iraqis and how to travel on open roads.

Other stories in the November issue concern contractor fraud in the Fort Worth, Tex. school district, which comprises some 80,000 students, and a related story regarding protection of the 82 schools in Newark, N.J. The award-winning "News and Trends" column addresses another hot-button issue--reactive versus proactive security; and in the "Tech Talk" column, find more news--the buzz about Zigbee chips.

ASIS International (ASIS) is the preeminent organization for security professionals, with more than 33,000 members worldwide. Founded in 1955, ASIS is dedicated to increasing the effectiveness and productivity of security professionals by developing educational programs and materials that address broad security interests, such as the ASIS Annual Seminar and Exhibits, as well as specific security topics. ASIS also advocates the role and value of the security management profession to business, the media, government entities, and the public. By providing members and the security community with access to a full range of programs and services, and by publishing the industry's number one magazine -- Security Management -- ASIS leads the way for advanced and improved security performance.